Synchronized machine gun



O. A. ROSS sYNcHRoNIzED MACHINE GUN Nov. 18, 1930.

Original Filed Oct; 26, 1927 2 Sheet`s-S`naet 1 NVENTOR 4 Nov. 1s, 1936.

O. A. ROSS SYNCHRONIZED MACHINE GUN Original Filed Oct. 26, 1927 f 4e l A 38 57 57 se Y I 4Z 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-Ice OSCAR A. ROSS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SYNCHRONIZED MACHINE 'GN dppplicatiorn led October `28, 1927, SerialpNc. 228,859. Renewed October 29, V1928.

This invention refers to machine guns and more particularly to machine guns employed on airplanes for attack or defense purposes.

One object is to simplify machine gun Ymechanisms by firing the cartridge powder charge by an electric spark thereby yeliminating the use of a movable firing pin and its incident mechanisms, the cocklng mech- .lo anism and trigger mechanism.

v Another object is to furnish more safe ammunition in the form of cartridges, appli` cants improved cartridges being formed without the use of percussion caps and the easily explodable fulminate of mercury contained therein.

Another object is to eliminate the synchronizing mechanism .usually associated with machine guns which are synchronized to fire With, the propeller blades ofthe airplane. This is accomplished byiiring the cartridge with a high tension electric spark and preferably employing the same electrical ignition system asis usually associated with the hydro-carbon motor employed for driving the airplane, the firing circuit being placed in series with the motor high tension ignition circuit.

vAnother object is to provide novel means whereby the guns when not in use permit normal operation of the ignition circuit and also permit continual operation of said circuit when the guns are being fired.

Another object is to furnish means whereby a plurality of machine guns may be fired not only in, synchronism with propeller blades of an airplane, but also sequentually whereby a very rapid or large volume re may be obtained at the same time giving each gun ample time to complete its cycle of loading before it is again fired.

Another object is to furnish means whereby the time of tiring of a synchronized machine gun may be advanced as the speed of the propeller is increased, in this manner permitting the bullet to intercept the plane of the blade movement at substantially the same relative distance .from the blade edge, irres ective of motor speed.

Ot er objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses, and the novel features of the invention will be, pointed out in the appended claims.

This invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the accom. panying drawings, and particularly pointedV out in that portion of the instrument wherein patentable novelty -is claimed for certain and peculiar features of the invention, it being understood that, within the scope of what hereinafter thus is claimed, divers changes in the form,V proportions, size and minor details of the system may be made without departing from the spirit of, or sacrificing any of the details of the invention.-

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated embodiments of my invention, and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1, is a sectional view of applicants improved cart-ridge and is taken on line A-A of Fig. 2, and Fig. 2, is an end view of the same taken on line B-B of Fig. l, and F ig. 3, is a sectional view of a portion of a Vickers machine gun to which applicants novel system has been applied and, Fig. 4,

is a sectional view of a portion of a Browning machine gun to which applicants novel system has been applied, and, Fig. 5, is a top view of th bolt showing the application of applicants system and is taken on line C-C, Fig. 4, and Fig. 6, is a diagrammatic View of one adaptation of applicants system, and Fig. 7, is also a diagrammatic view of another adaptation, and Fig. 8, i s also a diagrammatic view of still another adaptation, and, Fig. 9, is also a diagrammatic view of another adaptation, and Fig. 10, is also a diagrammatic View of still another adaptation.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, into shell 1 of cartridge 25, is molded or inserted insulating member 2, restrained into lposition by annular angle ring 3. Centra y disposed 1n insulating member 2, is the electrode 4, the

head of which allocates washer 6 whereby an annular spark ga 7" is formed between vsaid washer and annu ar angle ring 3, whereby an electric spark jumping said gap will ignite powder grains 9-9.

Referring yto Fig. 3, showing a Vickers machine n in the final stages of loading, the usual ring pin has been removed from the bolt 10 and in place thereof has been substituted by an electrode 11 and insulating sleeve 12. rlhe left hand end of said electrode contacts with contact member 13, also insulatively supported by bolt 10 VYby meansl to furnish an electrical path from electrode 11 to head 8 of electrode 4 of cartridge 25.

Referring to Fig. 4, showin a Browning machine gunwhich is assume to be loaded and ready to lire, the bolt 26 has been modilied by supplanting the usual firing pin and parts incidental thereto, by an electrode 27 insulatively supported by insulating sleeve 28. rlihe right hand end of said electrode is adapted to contact with head 8 of electrode 4 of cartridge 25, whereas the left hand end impinges on contact post 29 insulated by bushing 30, and the upper end of which is secured to contact plate 31 insulated from bolt 26 by insulating member 32 andis adapted to contact with contact sprin 33 supported by insulating block 34secure to gun frame 35. Contact spring 39 contacts with plate 31 only when the bolt 26 is home namely in position to fire cartridge 25. As said block is moved to the left by action of the discharge of the gun in known manner, the spring 39 will cont-act on the surface 26a thereof, thereby/'short circuiting the {irin circuit through electrodes 29, 27, 4 an shell 25.

Referring to Fig. 6, showing a` system wherein a machine gun 36 mounted on the airplane body 37 but insulated therefrom by insulation 38-38. The motor 39 also suitably mounted on the airplane 37 comprises in part high tension magneto 40 having distributor 41. The high tension current which normally passes from the magneto-has been interrupted to include the circuit of machine gun 36. This circuit is normally shunted by push button or switch 42.

The operation of this system is as follows :ass`uming pushbutton 42 is depressed,

3 the current returns through the shell 1 and the frame of the gun to wire 44 and thence to distributor 41, to wire 45, spark plug 46, motor 39 returning via ground 47 to magneto 40. Whereas the circuit has been described as passing through motor spark plug 46, it may pass through any other plug dependent upon theposltionof distributor 41 lwhen button 42 is depressed. Push button 42 normally shunts out the gun circuit through wires 48 and 49. The gun 36 is assumed to be tiring from airplane 37 at a l0- cation other than between the ropeller blades. ln other words it is not sync ronzed with said propeller blades. Furthermore the magneto 40 is assumed to be normally grounded to the motor 39.

Referring to Fig. 7, showing a system similar to that disclosed in Fig..6, the magneto 40 is insulated from motor 39 by insulating member 50. rlhe high tension current passes from magneto 40 to the distributor and motor plugs in normalmanner. However, after passing tothe motor body the current may pass through the airplane frame to the gun frame, or by wires, as 51 and 53, whereater it passes through the gun circuit in reverse direction rom that hereintofore described in connection with `Fig. 6, and thence through wire 52 to the frame of magneto 40. The gun circuit is shunted out by wires 54, 52L normally shortcircuited by circuit closer 42.

Referring to Fig. 8, showing a system wherein a machine gun 36 is assumed to be 'arranged to iire in synchronism with the propeller 55, and also arraf ged to have the time of ring advanced as t e speed of said propeller is increased, the magneto 40 has been supplanted with the well lmown battery form of ignition comprising the low tension circuit breaker, or timer 56, induction coil 57, and distributor 58, said distributor and circuit breaker being driven from a common shaft actuated by motor 39 1n well known manner, a governor 59 being arranged to advance the circuit interruption ci circuit breaker 56. A gun 36 is synchromzed with propeller 55 and said propeller has been mounted on the motor 39 in a mannerwhereby the distributor 58 lires gun 36 and spark plug 46just after a blade of propellor 55 has passed its line of ire'at substantlally zero speed. The firing circuit is ras follows z-From induction coil 57, wire 60,

thence through distributor -58, and, assuming push'button 42 is depressed, wire 61. frame of gun 36, n circuit in reverse direction from that escribed in connection with Fig. 6, thence to wire 62 tofspark plug 46, returning via motor ound to induction coil 57. As motor 39 is increased in speed overnor l59 advances the firing periods o the motor ignition system, simultaneously advancing the time of firing of gun 36. The advancing of time of firing of synchronized machine guns is more fully describedin my copending application Serial No. 182,346, filed April 9, 1927. Push button 42 shunts out gun 36 through wires 63 and 64 when said un is not to be fired.

Re erring to Fig. 9, showing a system wherein two machine guns as 36-36 insulatively mounted and which are adapted to be fired in synchronism with blades of propeller 55. This system is similar to that disclosed in Fig. 7, in that both guns 36-36 are fired in synchronism with propeller 55. However the batteryignition system has been supplanted by the ignition magneto 40, and whereas guns 36-36 fire in synchronism with propeller 55, the firing periods are not assumed to be advanced simultaneously with increase of motor speed. Guns 36-36 are however fired sequentially as more fully described in my Patent #1,454,137, issued May 8, 1923, however in this system the gun-lire is controlled by, and forms part of the ignition system associated with airplane motors. Whereas in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 a side view of motor 39 has been shown, in Fig. 9 a top view is shown. The gun 36 above motor 39, or normally at the left thereof, is fired 46 as follows from magneto 40, wire 65,` distributor 41, and assuming left hand push button 42 is depressed, wire 66, gun 36, wire 67, plug 46, returning to magneto 40 via ground on motor 39. The gun 36 below motor 39, or normall to the right thereof, is fired as follows rom magneto 40, wire 65, distributor 41, (in dotted position) and assuming right hand push button 42 is depressed, wire 68, spark plug 69, returning to magneto 40, via ground on motor 39. Prof' peller is secured to motor 39 in a manner -whereby, and with said motor operating at approximately 1000 R. P. M., the upper gun 36 will be red to cause its bullets to intersect the plane of movement of one bladeof propeller 55 just as said blade has passed the line of ireof said gun, and the lQwei-jA n 36 will be fired to cause its bullets to intersect said plane of movement just as the :other blade `has passed the line of fire of said last named gun. To prevent rin of said guns during speeds less than 1000 P. M. this system may be supplied with a centrifuge shunting switch as will be more fully hereinafter described in connection with Fig. 10.

in sequential order. Whereas in through the ignition circuit to ignition plugl The push buttons 42-42 are controlled by. a master button 70, which if depressed actuates both the buttons 42-42, or if desired button 71 may be depressed to operate the left hand button button 72 may be depressed to operate the ri ht hand button42independently.

Vires and 91. act to shunt out the circuit of the upper gun and wires 92 and 93 act to shunt out the circuit of the lower gun 36.Y

Referring to Fig.V 10, showing a system wherein a plurality of machine ns, as 36* to 36t inclusive are iired sequentially in nchronism withan airplane propeller as 55. By reference to computations disclosed in m co-pendin application Serial N o. 182,346 filed ApriS, 1927, it will be noted that to obtain a maximum of volume fire in a substantially short interval of timeap roximately six machine guns should be lirerllreferably i 6 to 9 'inclusive the systems disclosed therdlisi have included the ignition circuit of the airplane motor, in this system a separate and distinct high tension circuit is employed for firing the guns, comprising a magneto 73 and distributor 74, the latter preferably forming part of said magneto. With motor 39 operating at 1000 or more R. P. M. the guns 36 to 36 inclusive are arranged to lire sequentially, gun 36i firing to cause its bullet to intersect the plane of movement of propeller 55 just as one blade has passed its line of fire, and gun 36" firing to cause its bullet to intersect the plane of movement of said propeller just as the next blade has passed its ine of lire, this sequence continuing until gun 36 is again red. The firing circuit is as follows :-froml magneto 73, and assuming push button 42 is depressed and contact lever 6 is in dotted position, wire 75, distributor 74, to any one of wires 77 to 82 inclusive, as shown, to wire 77, gun 36, wire 83 returning to magneto 73. Normally magneto 73 is short circuited by wires 84 and 85 and push button 42. Magneto 73 u,is also normally short circuited by wires 86 and 87 and contact lever 76 adapted to be opened by lever 88 actuated by centrifuge 89 driven by motor 39. At motor speeds below 1000 R. P. M. contact lever 7 6 short circuits magneto 73 through wires 86 and 87 whereby the guns 36 to 36t inclusive cannot be fired. When the speed of motor 39 exceeds 1000 R. P. M'. the centrifuge acts to rotate lever 89 and move contact lever 76 to the dotted position, whereafter depression of button 42 will permit guns 36 to 36t inclusive to be fired.

The gun circuit through rthe Vickers gun shown in Fig. 3, is as follows: wire 43, contact spring 18, contact 17, contact 16, member 13, electrode 11, electrode23, electrode 4 of cartridge 25, spark gap 7, shell 1 to gun frame 19 and thence to wire 44.

To prevent disturbance Aof wireless appa- 42 independently or y fsu.

ratus usually associated with airplanes all wires are metal clad or armoured and all terminals are suitably housed by metal lined covers, as for example cover 95.

Whereas in Fig. 10, a magneto has been shown as the electrical generating unit, it` is obvious that an induction coil in connection with a battery, or a hi h ratio conversion transformer operating om an alternating current source may be employed. Also that distributor contacts may be non-uniformly spaced for the purpose of firing at a more advantageous location of one or more of the' means normally annulling the including means, and manually operated means for cancelling thevannulling means whereby the gun circuit will be included in the ignition circuit.

2. A system for firing machine guns com.

rising in combination; a machine gun, a cartridge therefor adapted to' be passage of electric current therethrough, an electric circuit carried by the gun arranged in electrical relation to the cartridge, an i'nternal combustion motor, a high tension ignition circuit, therefor, means for including the gun circuit in series with the ignition circuit to fire the cartridge, means normally A shunting out the gun circuit from the ignitact with the cartridge tion circuit, and manually operated means for annulling the shunting means whereby the gun circuit will be included in series with the ignition circuit.

3, A system for firing machine guns comprising in combination; a machine gun, a cartridge therefor, an insulated electrode carried by the cartridge, a spark gap formed between the electrode and the cartridge body arranged in a manner to ignite the powder charge contained therein, an electric circuit carried by the gun arranged in electrical conl electrode, an internal combustion motor, a high tension i tion circuit therefor, means for including t e gun circuit, the electrode and the spark gap in series with the ignition circuit, means normally shunting out the gun circuit, the electrode and the spark gap,.and manually operated means for annulling the shunting means whereby the gun circuit, the electrode and the spark gap will be included in series with the ignition circuit.

fired by 4. In combination with a machine gun having` a movable breach block, of ammunition therefor arranged to be electrically fired, an electric circuit carried by the gun arranged to 'fire the ammunition, a source of energy for .energizing the circuit, normally disconnec'ted therefrom, means for connecting the source to the circuit for-firing the ammunition, means rendered effective byV movement, of the breech block during ejection and loading cy cmt whereby )the energy -will be shunted around the ,ammunition and prevent firingl thereof, and means'rendered eifective after the breachblock hasicompleted the cycles for cancelling the energy. will be su ing the ammunition when the energy 1s connected to the circuit by the connecting means.

5. In combination with a machine gun having a .movable breech block, of ammunition therefor arranged to be electrically ired, an electric circuit carried by the energizing the circuit, m`eans rendered edective by movement of the breech block during the ejection and `loading cycles for shortcircuiting the firing circuit whereby the energy will be shunted. around the ammunition and prevent firing thereof, and means rendered eifective after the breech block has completed the cycles for cancellin the short-circuit whereby the energy will e supplied to the circuit for firing the ammunition.

6. In combination with a machine gun having a movable breech block, of ammunition therefor arranged to be electrically fired, an electric circuit carried by the gun arranged to fire the ammunition, a source of energy for energizing the circuit, a circuit controller larranged to short-circuit the firing circuit whereby the energy ywill be shunted around the ammunition and prefvent'ring thereof, means associated with the breech block for effecting the short-circuit by the circuit controller during the ejection and loading cycles of' the gun whereby the energy is shunted around the ammunition and a cancellation thereof is effected after the `cycles are completed and the block is home whereby the energy thereafter will be supplied to the ammunition for the iring thereof.

7. In combination, an internal combustion motor arranged to drive an airplane propeller, an electrical ignition circuit therefor, a centrifuge driven by the' motor arranged to vary cuit as the speed of the motor is varied, a machine gun arranged to be fired between the blades of the propeller, electrically fired ammunition therefor arranged to be fired by inclusion in the ignition circuitv whereby the time of firing of the gun, will be varied by the variation in speed of the motor, and means actuated at will for including vthe ammunicles for short-circuiting the firing cir-l the time of firing-of the ignition cirshort-circuit whereby the l pplied to the circuit f or fir;

gun arranged to fire the ammunition, a source of energy for x memes tion in the circuit normally eecting'exclusion thereof whereby the ammunition will not be fired.

8. ln combination, an internal combustion motor, a normally cled ignition circuit therefor, a machine gun, electricall fired ammunition therefor arranged to be red by inclusion in the circuit, and means actuated at will for includirfig the ammunition inthe m circuit normally e ecting exclusion thereof whereby the ammunition will not be fired.

9. ln combination, an internal combustion motorfa normallyV owing ignition circuit therefor, a machine gun, electrlcall fired am- 15 munition therefor arranged to be red by inclusion in the circuit, and means carried by the gun normally effecting inclusion of the ammunition in the circuit arranged to effect exclusion thereof during the ejection and 2@ loading cycles of the gun.

10. In combination an internal combustion motor, a normally {iowing ignition circuit therefor, a machine gun, electrically fired ammunition therefor arranged to be fired by 25 inclusion in the circuit, means carried by the gun normally effecting inclusion of the ammunition in the circuit arranged to eect exclusion thereof during theejection and loading cycles of the gun, and means actuated at 30 will for including the ammunition in the circuit normally eecting exclusion thereof whereby the firing thereof will not be effected.

11. In combination with an internalrcombastion motor having an ignition system for M ignition of the explosive char es therein and a machine gun arranged to re electrically red ammunition, of means for firing the ammunition in synchronism with the ignition of the explosive charges in the motor.

a@ 12. ln combination with an internal combustionmotor having an ignition system for ignition of the explosive charge therein and a machine gun arran ed to re electrically fired ammunition there rom, of means for Iirin an the ammunition in synchronism with the ignition of the explosive char es in the motor, means for normally annul ing the iiring of the ammunition whereby ignition of the charges will not re'the ammunition, and

no means operated at will for cancelling the annulling means whereb the ammunition will he red when and as t e charges are i ited.

ln testimony whereof I hereby a my signature.

on OSCAR A. ROSS. 

